Prospect Info: [2022 - 1st] Juraj Slafkovsky

[Belial]

I thought McGuire made an interesting comment after Slaf was selected by Habs - Craig Ramsey opened up the system for Team Slovakia focused around Slaf being the play driver, and his game thereafter picked up at Olympics, that confidence then carried over in return to Liiga, and WC. There was a marked improvement in his game at Liiga after coming back from Olympics.

i think MSLs concept could be the wild card in further developing Slaf’s game.

He's a goalscorer at the end of the day, I don't see him driving the play.

 

[icerocket]

Can Slaf play on NHL ice surface? Not oversized international ice.

 

[BenchBrawl]

Yeah, so if you're right, you're a genius, and if you're wrong, it's not your fault. Sounds like you got it all figured out.

The point is not who the Canadiens picked, the point is that if Wright had not been sub-par, there would have been no choice to be made.

It's not like such downfall from a 1st overall is a common occurrence. Yes, it happens, but rarely from a guy as high profile as Wright.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Can Slaf play on NHL ice surface? Not oversized international ice.

Yes.

 

[BenchBrawl]

I thought McGuire made an interesting comment after Slaf was selected by Habs - Craig Ramsey opened up the system for Team Slovakia focused around Slaf being the play driver, and his game thereafter picked up at Olympics, that confidence then carried over in return to Liiga, and WC. There was a marked improvement in his game at Liiga after coming back from Olympics.

i think MSLs concept could be the wild card in further developing Slaf’s game.

There's a great interview with Craig Ramsay on youtube, on some Buffalo channel, where he speaks about Slaf.

Edit: There it is:

 

[ryan callahan]

Juraj needs to play in the NHL next year. Get him the hell out of the Liiga.

 

[Belial]

Can Slaf play on NHL ice surface? Not oversized international ice.

Apparently, they use the same skates over there!

 

[HostileCapSpace]

When was Forsberg EVER considered top 3 during his draft year?

Come on now dawg. Come on mane!

Here's Mackenzie's top 30 in 2012 before the draft:

TSN: Bob McKenzie Top 30 Thread He was 3rd, Galchenyuk 5th.

 

[NotProkofievian]

The point is not who the Canadiens picked, the point is that if Wright had not been sub-par, there would have been no choice to be made.

It's not like such downfall from a 1st overall is a common occurrence. Yes, it happens, but rarely from a guy as high profile as Wright.

I understand that Wright made the choice more difficult than it had to be. But if we chose wrong, sorry HuGo, you go on the pile with Bergevin and the biceps brigade.

 

[Garbageyuk]

When was Forsberg EVER considered top 3 during his draft year?

Come on now dawg. Come on mane!

He was, literally all year lmao.

 

[River Meadow]

This guy is going to be a handful when he fills out even more, barrelling down the ice like that.. gah damnnnnn

 

[Garbageyuk]

The point is not who the Canadiens picked, the point is that if Wright had not been sub-par, there would have been no choice to be made.

It's not like such downfall from a 1st overall is a common occurrence. Yes, it happens, but rarely from a guy as high profile as Wright.

The most extreme is Nick Ebert, who went from being talked about as a potential first overall pick in his D-2 year, to the literal last player taken in his draft, and subsequently busting.

There is also the case of Angelo Esposito, who was seen as a sure-fire 1st overall, borderline generational prospect in his D-1 year, to falling to 22nd overall, and then busting. 5 years after being drafted, he was working as a real estate agent lmao.

Point being, players on downward trajectories heading into the draft, like Wright is, almost never turn it around.

Sean Day is another well-known example of this pattern.

Wright is headed for Bustville, in all likelihood.

 

[River Meadow]

There's a great interview with Craig Ramsay on youtube, on some Buffalo channel, where he speaks about Slaf.

Edit: There it is:

Craig Ramsay to replace Richardson!

SLAF TALK Starts at 32:06

 

[Adam Michaels]

I thought McGuire made an interesting comment after Slaf was selected by Habs - Craig Ramsey opened up the system for Team Slovakia focused around Slaf being the play driver, and his game thereafter picked up at Olympics, that confidence then carried over in return to Liiga, and WC. There was a marked improvement in his game at Liiga after coming back from Olympics.

i think MSLs concept could be the wild card in further developing Slaf’s game.

Yea I caught that. And I think MSL will be great for the kid.

But also, the Habs having Adam Nicholas there, the Habs have people in place who will help this kid develop.

Juraj needs to play in the NHL next year. Get him the hell out of the Liiga.

Even if he has to go through Laval first, just bring him here.

 

[Chara-3]

Can Slaf play on NHL ice surface? Not oversized international ice.

Olympics were played on NHL sized ice.

 

[cphabs]

Terrible decision, but we're used to that so I expected they would screw it up.

Like my wife said!

 

[BenchBrawl]

Craig Ramsay to replace Richardson!

SLAF TALK Starts at 32:06

Interesting that Craig Ramsay says Slaf reminds him a little bit of Clark Gillies, considering that man excelled with Trottier-Bossy, which isn't too far stylistically from Suzuki-Caufield (although Trottier was way more physical than Suzuki will ever be).

Also Ramsay on Mesar:

"Mesar is a little bit of a smaller player (5-10, 174), but we played him in one tournament and he was not afraid. Went to the corners, in front of the net, and was willing to shoot, which is something a lot of Slovak players don't want to do. Sykora (5-10, 172) plays hard, is not afraid to do those hard jobs in front of the net, be physical."

Official Site of the National Hockey League | NHL.com

The official National Hockey League website including news, rosters, stats, schedules, teams, and video.

www.nhl.com

 

[Adam Michaels]

Interesting that Craig Ramsay says Slaf reminds him a little bit of Clark Gillies, considering that man excelled with Trottier-Bossy, which isn't too far stylistically from Suzuki-Caufield (although Trottier was way more physical than Suzuki will ever be).

Also Ramsay on Mesar:

"Mesar is a little bit of a smaller player (5-10, 174), but we played him in one tournament and he was not afraid. Went to the corners, in front of the net, and was willing to shoot, which is something a lot of Slovak players don't want to do. Sykora (5-10, 172) plays hard, is not afraid to do those hard jobs in front of the net, be physical."

Official Site of the National Hockey League | NHL.com

The official National Hockey League website including news, rosters, stats, schedules, teams, and video.

www.nhl.com

I think Habs might complete the trifecta and take Sykora today.

 

[Wats]

Do you realize, guys? We just got a super skilled, exciting 6' 4'' powerful winger.

This is tremendous! When was the last time we got anything like that?

Armia

 

[NicRattlehead]

Its very possible Wrigth does well in Seattle. Not our worries anymore.


I would say thinking he was the best rather then wanting to be the best.

Oh I agree completely but I’m a little different than most. I’m typically more upbeat and positive regardless. Although I wanted Wright and was initially disappointed I quickly became excited about Slavkovsky. He’s such a likable guy. I’m also patient so I won’t be part of the group turning toxic but I do think this is a very passionate fanbase in general. The passion is both a curse and the charm of being a fan of this team. If we (as a whole) love a player we really love a player but if things turn south it can be pretty intense.

 

[Agalloch]

MTL have a lot of confidence in Dach (to chose him over Wright and Cooley).

This is a gamble and if Dach develops as he should. Taking Slafkovsky will be a good pick.

 

[WeThreeKings]

You can see why they fell in love with this kid as a person.

 

[GammaAway]

Yea I caught that. And I think MSL will be great for the kid.

But also, the Habs having Adam Nicholas there, the Habs have people in place who will help this kid develop.



Even if he has to go through Laval first, just bring him here.

Gotta send him to London to learn how to fight first.

 

[SaintsThomas]

So he starts in Laval and stays there for 2 years till he fully develops these amazing skills that I'm not even seeing?

Or you get glasses, whichever comes first

 

[Belial]

Or you get glasses, whichever comes first

How about you heal me right on the spot?